Bluegrass Festival Boosts Town Economy

July 20, 1998|By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER; Courant Staff Writer

EAST HARTFORD — It started three years ago as a way to christen the new town green with an event that would add a little pride to the town.

This year, the third annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival has blossomed into a regional event that offers more than 14 hours of music over two days, attracting up to 10,000 people to watch shows featuring nationally known artists.

``We definitely see the festival as East Hartford's regional event,'' said Ray Tubbs, a festival volunteer and vice president of Main Street Plus, a nonprofit community development organization. ``There is an economic benefit and an image benefit.''

Organizers haven't done any detailed studies, but they said the festival boosts the local economy, bringing customers to restaurants, stores and hotels.

The festival also taps into the town's history. The festival's name recognizes the Podunk Indians, a tribe of the Algonquian Nation that camped on the banks of the Hockanum River, where Martin Park is.

The festival starts Friday at 7 p.m. on the town green, with three hours of free music. On Saturday, the festival will move to Martin Park at Burnside Avenue and Hillside Street. Admission on Saturday is $10 for adults. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free.

The festival also offers camping in Martin Park Friday and Saturday nights for $35 a family, which includes festival admission. Martin Park will be closed to the public Thursday night and reopened Sunday at noon.

``Friday is really the part of the festival for the townspeople, to thank them for their sponsorship,'' Tubbs said.

The town's fine arts commission chipped in $23,000 to pay for the artists, said member Terrye Blackstone. The festival has also attracted numerous corporate sponsors.

The festival committee is a nonprofit group. After this year's bills are paid, any leftover money will go toward next year's event, organizers said.

Bluegrass is a kind of Southern string-based music known for its bluesy harmonies, rapid tempos and overall high-pitched vocal and instrumental sound.

Festival organizers said it is popular among several age groups and is not too loud for people with sensitive eardrums.